Red Mosquito

harmless wrote:I find it difficult to believe they would make Backspacer again if it weren't a deliberate effort to regress.

The PJ from No Code to Riot Act wouldn't respond that way... but ever since S/T, they've clearly stated their desire for more commercial success/relevance (and isn't it a little obvious in the music?). They're gonna keep digging until they find that well... and that scares the shit of me, because that's certainly not their best path.

Lightning Bolt deserves credit for being a step in the right direction for many reasons. I just hope they get the message.

I just realized I haven't listened to a single note off of this thing in 4 days. Even the songs I like are just...not particularly moving, I guess.

Bummer.

bluestate wrote:

harmless wrote:I find it difficult to believe they would make Backspacer again if it weren't a deliberate effort to regress.

The PJ from No Code to Riot Act wouldn't respond that way... but ever since S/T, they've clearly stated their desire for more commercial success/relevance (and isn't it a little obvious in the music?). They're gonna keep digging until they find that well... and that scares the shit of me, because that's certainly not their best path.

Lightning Bolt deserves credit for being a step in the right direction for many reasons.

I agree totally. The interesting thing, I think, is that this album sounds like it's pulling in several directions. There's a whole load of uncomfortable conflict, sonically, but I do get the feeling that it shows a bunch of guys not necessarily seeing eye-to-eye on where they'd prefer to be going. The biggest tension for me is that almost all of my being is crying "Sack Brendan". But the thing is, I disliked S/T a lot, and for the opposite reason. Whereas BoB has poured cheese all over this album, S/T was way too *unadorned*, and sonically bland. If given the choice, I'm not sure which approach I'd rather have.

harmless wrote:

bluestate wrote:

harmless wrote:I find it difficult to believe they would make Backspacer again if it weren't a deliberate effort to regress.

The PJ from No Code to Riot Act wouldn't respond that way... but ever since S/T, they've clearly stated their desire for more commercial success/relevance (and isn't it a little obvious in the music?). They're gonna keep digging until they find that well... and that scares the shit of me, because that's certainly not their best path.

Lightning Bolt deserves credit for being a step in the right direction for many reasons.

I agree totally. The interesting thing, I think, is that this album sounds like it's pulling in several directions. There's a whole load of uncomfortable conflict, sonically, but I do get the feeling that it shows a bunch of guys not necessarily seeing eye-to-eye on where they'd prefer to be going. The biggest tension for me is that almost all of my being is crying "Sack Brendan". But the thing is, I disliked S/T a lot, and for the opposite reason. Whereas BoB has poured cheese all over this album, S/T was way too *unadorned*, and sonically bland. If given the choice, I'm not sure which approach I'd rather have.

I just want good songs. I can look past everything if the songs are good.

theplatypus wrote:Goddamn "Infallible" sucks.

Though other songs on the record have grown on me as I've listened over the last week, I think this is the only one I actually like less.

Best

Album

Since


Yield/Binaural




So stfu


And dance

dimejinky99 wrote:Best

Album

Since


Yield/Binaural




So stfu


And dance

Originally, I was so underwhelmed with the 4 track leak. i was nauseated by Siren Gate and hated FD and didnt care much for the Title Track.

yet, here I am, really enjoying this record. Totally grew on me. Some very odd choices throughout but G dangit if im not starting to love 'er.

dimejinky99 wrote:Best

Album

Since


Yield/Binaural




So stfu


And dance

I love Riot Act to death though. This one will have to grow on me quite a bit before it touches
RA.

You're all talking yourselves into liking a mediocre album just because it's Pearl Jam.

Spoiler: show

Strat wrote:

harmless wrote:

bluestate wrote:

harmless wrote:I find it difficult to believe they would make Backspacer again if it weren't a deliberate effort to regress.

The PJ from No Code to Riot Act wouldn't respond that way... but ever since S/T, they've clearly stated their desire for more commercial success/relevance (and isn't it a little obvious in the music?). They're gonna keep digging until they find that well... and that scares the shit of me, because that's certainly not their best path.

Lightning Bolt deserves credit for being a step in the right direction for many reasons.

I agree totally. The interesting thing, I think, is that this album sounds like it's pulling in several directions. There's a whole load of uncomfortable conflict, sonically, but I do get the feeling that it shows a bunch of guys not necessarily seeing eye-to-eye on where they'd prefer to be going. The biggest tension for me is that almost all of my being is crying "Sack Brendan". But the thing is, I disliked S/T a lot, and for the opposite reason. Whereas BoB has poured cheese all over this album, S/T was way too *unadorned*, and sonically bland. If given the choice, I'm not sure which approach I'd rather have.

I just want good songs. I can look past everything if the songs are good.

I said this before this bookend keyboard turned up. And, well, FD isn't amazing in the first place. It's solid, but the keyboard gets very close to rendering it unlistenable. This is coming from someone who can make all kinds of conceptual excuses to enjoy something, and have it actually work. LTRP is bland, to me, but not terrible. There are parts I like. But that keyboard on FD... I dunno. I'm satisfied that there's a conceptual reason for it to be there. But that doesn't make it something I'm going to appreciate. The best I can do is not mind it.

I think its just a terrible song

theplatypus wrote:You're all talking yourselves into liking a mediocre album just because it's Pearl Jam.

Spoiler: show

Jorge
I'm going to Woodlawn cemetery this weekend to visit jazz corner, in your honour. Miles and Duke Ellington are there. I'll lay a flower for you. A black rose.

Na, FD is pretty in itself. I really like the violin and I really like the bridge.

Strat wrote:I think its just a terrible song

I like LTRP even less. Not sure yet.

Sarah. wrote:

dimejinky99 wrote:Best

Album

Since


Yield/Binaural




So stfu


And dance

I love Riot Act to death though. This one will have to grow on me quite a bit before it touches
RA.

It's the most perfectly seasonal Pj record.

It's pure autumn.


I heard LBC today and was quickly reminded what a great record it is.

dimejinky99 wrote:

theplatypus wrote:You're all talking yourselves into liking a mediocre album just because it's Pearl Jam.

Spoiler: show

Jorge
I'm going to Woodlawn cemetery this weekend to visit jazz corner, in your honour. Miles and Duke Ellington are there. I'll lay a flower for you. A black rose.

I was there in January! It's beautiful.

theplatypus wrote:You're all talking yourselves into liking a mediocre album just because it's Pearl Jam.

Spoiler: show

I am completely comfortable that I am doing no such thing.

I assume that you are referring to the kind of mental gymnastics that you must be doing with the Roots/Costello album? Good album, but not much more. That one has had ZERO staying power, unfortunately. And I was looking forward to that more than LB.

Or possibly, you know, people find quality in different things, and it doesn't need to be that they are forcing themselves to like something.

track11 wrote:

theplatypus wrote:You're all talking yourselves into liking a mediocre album just because it's Pearl Jam.

Spoiler: show

I am completely comfortable that I am doing no such thing.

I assume that you are referring to the kind of mental gymnastics that you must be doing with the Roots/Costello album? Good album, but not much more. That one has had ZERO staying power, unfortunately. And I was looking forward to that more than LB.

Or possibly, you know, people find quality in different things, and it doesn't need to be that they are forcing themselves to like something.